There is nothing in that patent or article that says anything about needing special glasses to view the display.

The logic of the OP goes like this: it's summer and you want to read outside. Reading on a tablet like the ipad isn't possible unless you are in the shade because of the glare. But there are polarized sunglasses that are made to block the sunlight reflected by a body of water for example, because that light is linearly polarized. The reason why they can't work with the currently available tablets is because these also emit polarized light, so some viewing angles would be effectively blocked by the glasses.

This new patent is about a filter placed in front of the screen that will turn the linearly polarized light emitted by the screen into circularly polarized light that can be viewed through polarized sunglasses at all angles. The result of this will be that you can still use the future ipad without glasses if you are indoors, but you will need glasses if you want to use it outside.

The logic of the OP goes like this: it's summer and you want to read outside. Reading on a tablet like the ipad isn't possible unless you are in the shade because of the glare. But there are polarized sunglasses that are made to block the sunlight reflected by a body of water for example, because that light is linearly polarized. The reason why they can't work with the currently available tablets is because these also emit polarized light, so some viewing angles would be effectively blocked by the glasses.

This new patent is about a filter placed in front of the screen that will turn the linearly polarized light emitted by the screen into circularly polarized light that can be viewed through polarized sunglasses at all angles. The result of this will be that you can still use the future ipad without glasses if you are indoors, but you will need glasses if you want to use it outside.

So, with the current technology you can't read in direct sunlight because of the reflection, and you can't use polarized sunglasses because polarized lenses can make LCD displays look wonky (one of the reason pilots don't wear polarized sunglasses, since they have LCD gauges in the cockpit). The new technology referred to in the patent allows you to use polarized lenses, more so than it requires it.

We've been having some fun with this, but... if you're outside reading in bright sunlight the chances are that you'd be wearing sunglasses anyway... or at least wishing you were.
So maybe not such a bad idea after all.
Graham

Ah, but you're missing the point, Graham - as in " more money, probably for ipad, if at all possible."

I have to wear glasses to use a tablet right now. Having to wear two pairs does seem ridiculous, I grant you...

Graham

Well, obviously vision requirements vary. But a tablet designed to need glasses to be used is silly. Even if you want to see 3D on a tablet, the way that you hold the tablet is constrained enough that you should be able to use glasses-free 3D technology (a la Nintendo 3DS).

Right. Polarized sunglasses are not the solution, they were the problem. The new technology is meant to address the problem caused by users wearing polarized sunglasses.

Otherwise you can just get a polarized anti-glare screen protector. But then you definitely can't wear polarized sunglasses. I'm getting dizzy.

I see the problem now. You are assuming that the glasses are just for the glare of the screen, but they are not. Apparently they were initially used by people going fishing, because they are excellent in eliminating the reflection of the sun on the water surface. Now they are used for many outdoor activities. So all of these people who are willing to pay allot of money for their eyewear might be interested in paying a bit more for their gadgets if it means that they are able to see who is calling them during their golf match without having to lift their glasses and squint at a barely visible screen.

Folks. If you have an iDevice now, you will know that when wearing polarized sunglasses, the iDevice screens look blank. This appears to be a solution to let you wear your sunglasses and still be able to read on your iDevice.

Folks. If you have an iDevice now, you will know that when wearing polarized sunglasses, the iDevice screens look blank. This appears to be a solution to let you wear your sunglasses and still be able to read on your iDevice.

Lee

Gotcha. But if you're inside, and not wearing sunglasses, will you get the same reading experience?